Bill

HB 1170

84(R) - 2015
House Public Education
House Public Education
Charter Schools 

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Marsha Farney

Bill Caption

Relating to the applicability to open-enrollment charter schools of certain laws regarding local governments and political subdivisions.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to State or local government.

Bill Analysis

HB 1170 would amend Education Code to establish that an open-enrollment charter school is considered to be a local government for purposes of the Interlocal Cooperation Act; a local government for purposes of Government Code provisions relating to self-insurance by governmental units, except that an open-enrollment charter school is prohibited from issuing public securities; and a political subdivision for purposes of the Texas Political Subdivision Employees Uniform Group Benefits Act.

HB 1170 would authorize an open-enrollment charter school to elect to extend workers' compensation benefits to employees of the school through any method available to a political subdivision under Labor Code provisions. An open-enrollment charter school that elects to do so would be considered to be a political subdivision for all purposes under those provisions and that an open-enrollment charter school that self-insures either individually or collectively would be considered to be an insurance carrier for purposes of the Texas Workers' Compensation Act.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 1170 would affirm the principle of limited government to further safeguard and strengthen open-enrollment charter schools. For this reason, we support HB 1170.